The first Emirates Mackinnon Stakes was run in 1869 and was won by a horse named Glencoe. It was known as the Melbourne Stakes prior to 1936, and has had Group 1 status since 1979. It carries prizemoney of $2,000,000 and is a WFA race for three-year-olds and up, although in 2003 Casual Pass became the first three-year-old to win the Mackinnon Stakes for 50 years.

Until 2015 it was held on the Saturday before the Melbourne Cup but in 2016 was moved to the Saturday after. In 2022 it was renamed the Champions Stakes.

2024 Champions Stakes Preview & results

2023 Champions Stakes Preview & results

2022 Champions Stakes Preview & results

2021 Mackinnon Stakes Preview & results

Last mare to win: Via Sistina (2024)

Last 3YO to win: C&G – Casual Pass (2003);

Multiple winners: Zaaki (2021 & 2022); Belmura Lad (1980 & 1981); Rising Fast (1954 & 1955); Comic Court (1949 & 1950); Tranquil Star (1942, 1944 & 1945); Beau Vite (1940 & 1941); Peter Pan (1932 & 1934); Phar Lap (1930 & 1931); Eurythmic (1920 & 1921); Cetigne (1917 & 1919); Wakeful (1901, 1902 & 1903); Battalion (1897 & 1898), Chester (1878 & 1880); Dagworth (1873 & 1874).

Fastest time (2000m): Horlicks (1989) 2:00:30

Interesting trivia: In 1886 Isonomy won in a run-off after a dead-heat with Bookla.

There are a number of great mares in the list of past winners, with five mares winning in the past 20 years. These are Empire Rose (1988), Horlicks (1989), Let’s Elope (1991), Champagne (1998) and La Bella Dama (2001). Both Empire Rose and Let’s Elope were good enough to go on to win the Melbourne Cup the following tuesday. Two legendary mares have managed to win this race on three occasions – Tranquil Star in 1942, 1944 & 1945 and Wakeful in 1901, 1902, 1903 and are the only two horses to win three times, although there are many several horses to win on two occasions, including Phar Lap in 1930 and 1931.

There are many other notable winners including Grand Armee (2004), Lonhro (2002), Better Loosen Up (1990), Rubiton (1987), Dulcify (1979), Leilani (1974), Rain Lover (1968), Tobin Bronze (1966), Comic Court (1949 & 1950), Flight (1946), Ajax (1938), Peter Pan (1932 & 1934) and Carbine (1889).

From the archives

2018 Mackinnon Stakes Preview & Tips:

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There are only 10 runners for the Seppelt Mackinnon Stakes with three having their last start in the Group 2 Crystal Mile and two in the Victoria Derby. The short-priced favourite is Blair House who ran on strongly for a close 2^nd in the Caulfield Stakes last outing. Second favourite is Latrobe who will be having his first start in Australia and was 2^nd in the Irish St Leger last start. Third favourite is Empire Rose Stakes winner Shillelagh, who is the only mare in the field.

Extra Brut looked strong winning the Victoria Derby last week. Trap For Fools ran 2^nd in the Moonee Valley Cup after finishing less than 2 lengths behind Winx in the Turnbull Stakes. Prized Icon was closing the entire straight when 2^nd in the Crystal Mile. It’s Somewhat ran 3^rd in this race last year and ran 6^th in the Crystal Mile last start. All other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

The following are the top 4 selections from our tipster panel for this years race.